Car crashes into building at Fresno State, police searching for driver

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A car slammed into the Water Energy and Technology Lab building located off of a busy roundabout on Barstow and Chestnut just after 2 a.m. Wednesday.

"The fortunate thing, it happened in the middle of the night. There wasn't any staff in the building. Had this been on a different time of day? Maybe the outcome could've been tragically different," says Eric Hadden, Executive Director of Water Energy and Technolgy Center.

Fresno Police say a grey Dodge Charger was going south on Chesnut when it lost control, hit a couple of street signs, and crashed, blowing out the entire side window of the building.

"At this point, we don't know if alcohol or drugs played a role, generally with collisions like this speed is a factor causing the collision," says Luke Tran, Fresno Police Department.

When police arrived, there were no witnesses on scene, and the driver ran away.

"The officers on scene attempted to locate the registered owner of the vehicle, but they didn't have any success doing that last night," says Officer Tran.

University Crews removed the car from the building and boarded up the large hole.

This is not the first time this has happened on the busy roundabout. Special landscaping was even put in after the last few incidents. Hadden says they are still inspecting the damage.

"I did have a chance to go in and look at the interior briefly. There is, of course, glass and wood and dirt and all kinds of material that are all over the floors. [It] looks like there was a car accident, unfortunately, the staff is doing the best they can to clean everything up very quickly," says Hadden.

The modern test facility is part of the Ag department and is unique because it provides a space for industry leaders to create new innovations in the water, irrigation, and clean energy space.

Hadden says that luckily, no classes are held inside, as it's primarily a research lab used by a small group. He says despite the wreck, his staff should be up and running on Monday.

"We are very resourceful. We have small teams here we have hardy teams and fortunately will be able to adapt and overcome," says Hadden.

Fresno Fire has deemed the building safe to enter. Anyone with any information is being asked to contact the Fresno Police Department.

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